As everyone is trying to guess whether the next big Android update is going to be Key Lime Pie or not, and whether the release will be Android 5.X or 4.X, we have yet to hear anything concrete. After getting a tip from an eagle-eyed reader (thanks, deepayan!) and digging deeper, I can definitively tell you that Google is currently working on Android 4.3, and it is still Jelly Bean.

Specifically, the build I'm seeing floating around our server logs is Android 4.3JWR23B, which indicates this is still Jelly Bean (the first letter of the build is always the same as the first letter of the Android version name).Now, you might say that server logs can be easily faked, and it happens all the time. You'd be absolutely right, which is why I would have never posted this had I not traced the IP range to Google itself. In fact, 2 different IP ranges, both corresponding to Google employees. Employees that have a lot to do with Android. It's the same IP range that had previously clued us in to some of the unreleased versions of Android before they were announced.

The Android 4.3 devices I've seen so far are Nexus 4 and Nexus 7.

Furthermore, and this was the original tip that prompted me to look for more clues, there are several very recent comments in the official Chromium bug tracker that list JWR23B as a build number, giving more credibility to this finding. The person who left the comments is a Chromium developer, which suggests affinity to Google, once again.

So, what does this all mean? Here are my thoughts:

Google doesn't assign version numbers to Android releases until a short time before they're set to be unveiled. We're talking weeks or a couple of months max.

Google does not assign version numbers to internal/test releases. Those are usually called something like JellyBeanMR1 and then assigned proper versions number when they're close to release.

Android 4.3 started appearing in the logs recently, while Android 5.X is nowhere to be found, and neither are any K***** builds.

Everyone has been expecting Google to unveil the newest version of Android at the conference, as Google has traditionally done in the past. Most have suggested that it would be Android 5.0, Key Lime Pie, or some other dessert starting with K, meaning a big leap from Jelly Bean, usually requiring app compatibility updates and bringing serious architectural changes. Think Android 3.0 compared to 2.X and Android 4.0 compared to 2.X and 3.X. That kind of big.

Recently, a rumor started floating around that the next major revision is going to be delayed to give OEMs (and developers) some breathing space.

We now know that Google is working on Android 4.3, which is still Jelly Bean. Today's findings suggest (this part is in my opinion, not a fact) that the company is going to unveil 4.3 and not 5.X at Google I/O. I may end up being wrong on this one, but all the clues are lining up pretty well to fit this theory.

The versioning likely points to OS changes that are not too drastic for developers to adapt their apps to and OEMs to upgrade devices to. Think Android 2.0 -> 2.1, 2.1 -> 2.2, 4.0 -> 4.1, and 4.1 -> 4.2 (especially the latter). This is a good thing - as we know, Jelly Bean can be found on only 25% of devices, and that's after Google reworked the algorithm used to report these numbers.

Update: Reddit user danrant has chimed in with a whole bunch of other evidence that points to an incremental Jelly Bean release rather than Key Lime Pie. Go read his comment here.

Still with me? Good.

Of course, none of the information uncovered today gets us any closer to the list of features we can expect in the next announced version of Android, but either the leaks or Google I/O itself will tell us in just about 3 weeks.

Artem is a die-hard Android fan, passionate tech blogger, obsessive-compulsive editor, bug hunting programmer, and the founder of Android Police.
Most of the time, you will find Artem either hacking away at code or thinking of the next 15 blog posts.

Comments

kinda still hoping its klp 5.0 even though you got some hard facts there...
great job on the find

EMullins

Stop it. Stop the madness. It's clear that 4.3 is coming out. Stop misinforming people with this 5.0 nonsense.

tylerbrainerd

he isn't misinforming. He's just saying he wishes.

EMullins

He has to stop wishing at this point. It's dumb to wish because there's zero chance at this point. There's people like him all over the internet telling people there's still a chance that 5.0 is coming. This crap has to stop.

tylerbrainerd

A. He is telling anyone there's a chance.
B. No one is actually thinking some random person know anyway.
C. It doesn't matter anyway. Even if every person believes 5.0 is coming, it effects nothing.
D. Chill out dude.

EMullins

If every person believes 5.0 is coming and 4.3 comes out, it will make the community a pretty annoying place for a good while. It's better that we have realistic and fact-based expectations instead of being manchildren who get asspained if 5.0 doesn't come out this May even when the facts don't point towards a 5.0 release this May.

tylerbrainerd

That's absurd. There will be no impact on the community just because of the difference in version number.

RitishOemraw

Comments like yours here don't make this community much better either

Andrew Loiacono

He's not doing anything wrong, leave him alone

http://twitter.com/trickedoutdavid David Margolin

:)

http://twitter.com/DocFunkinstein Kid.Drunkadelic

sounds like someone needs a whambulance

andy_o

More like someone needs a hug.

bwarez

wtf is wrong with you?

tylerbrainerd

I hope it's not.

Quite frankly, I want better apps, not better architecture. The update from 2.x to 4.x is huge and needed to be done, for a number of reasons. We are not in need of such an update right now. I like the way that the general system works. We need more work on the details, and on the core google app experience.

I hope that 4.3 brings the messenger app we're all wanting, and then a whole bunch of tightening of bolts on a faster experience, better keyboard, smoother animations, and all of that. Not a new interface.

This update is all going to be about the app experience and updating core google apps, not changing the system.

Aaron Berlin

This. I'm not really jonesing for a whole new UI. Just more, better, faster.

tylerbrainerd

Yup. I want a few UI changes, but it's all in core apps and not in the system. 4.2 is just right in a lot of ways. I have few system level gripes.

JonJJon

I wouldn't even be that disappointed is no OS updates were announced or released at this years Google IO, all I really want is Google's apps to all have their respective needed updates (Google maps navigation?!?!) and of course the Babel service. Maybe even this rumoured games service/centre as well. But basically I really want Google app updates more than anything else. I'm perfectly happy with Jelly Bean as it is on my Nexus 4 and can wait another few months for the next big release easily :) It's not like Android at 4.2.2 is going to lose ground on WP8 or iOS or Blackberry OS or Firefox OS any time soon (in my opinion).

tylerbrainerd

The only OS stuff I want is bug fixes, performance stuff, battery stuff. Maybe some changes to how apps are allowed to do wake locks.

dextersgenius

Yep, battery / wakelock fixes would be a welcome improvement. Although custom kernels have already fixed most of the msm_hsic wakelock issues, the official 4.2.2 release still has a lot of unnecessary wakelocks. I'd also love to see some color calibration for the Nexus 4 implemented officially.

http://twitter.com/ShantKelian Shant Kelian

I really looking forward to the new messaging app and (crossing my fingers) a new Google TV to compete against Apple TV and the new Xbox system that is going to be like an Apple/Google TV. I think this is where Google needs to be focusing a bit because if they don't capture the home entertainment crowd, they are going to loose big time and it will be hard to recover. (In my opinion)

Google_is_the_Higgs_Boson

I'm with you, GoogleTV needs a Nexus branding!!! But I got to say, if Google does nothing with this platform this year, then it's truly dead!!!

mldi

You're right on with that.

TV is hard, but GoogleTV still has a lead on this, because let's face it: GoogleTV is far better than AppleTV, at least right now. However, it has some serious issues, GoogleTV has been comparatively neglected, and it needs some serious improvement yet.

Simply put, they can't Microsoft the GoogleTV, or they'll face what Microsoft is facing now with mobile phones.

JonJJon

One word...............Agreed.

http://profiles.google.com/jaroslav.zaruba Jaroslav Záruba

What messenger are we all wanting? O.O

http://twitter.com/ShantKelian Shant Kelian

The one that integrates all Google Chat clients together like Talk, Voice, Google+, Hangout and hopefully text messaging. It would be great because I THINK someone confirmed that it was coming out for iOS as well so it would be a direct Facebook Messenger, iMessage, and Skype competitor. We'll see how that plays out.

http://profiles.google.com/jaroslav.zaruba Jaroslav Záruba

I'd rather see Google finally adding some of the missing "context" menus...
- in YouTube app we should be able to tap'n'hold a video for context menu that would *always* contain "Copy URL", "Add to Watch Later" (no, the occasional bottom-right corner menu is not enough)
- in Talk, for crying out loud, give us "Copy message text"

mldi

To add to that list:

1) Currents needs a "View in Browser" and "Copy URL".

2) Chrome needs to stop sucking, especially when I'm using their own products. For awhile, I couldn't even hit the "Search Tools" icon on their mobile site (yet, their "desktop" site still worked from the same device). Again, when on search, sometimes when I activate the search text box to type in it, I can't get the keyboard to pull up. Scrolling pages needs to be more responsive. File uploads don't work or they just outright crash the browser. The list goes on and on with Chrome.

4) Google Voice MMS already! I don't even need to be able to send it. I just need to be able to receive it.

5) Let me send files to people in my GTalk. And for the love of Andy, don't make me sign up for a friggin' G+ account to keep using chat services!

RitishOemraw

Currents!!! OMG, it really needs those options!
Chrome needs to be improved too.
Don't have a tablet so can;t talk about the apparant seizures being triggered.
Can;t use GV here in europe so idc about that.
and G+ for Gtalk.....yeh...that would be lame (but according to the elaks you just need g+ to share pictures, not for basic chatting)
Even though I use g+...the people I chat with don't use g+...so it would be useless if it did require a g+ account.

mldi

6) GTalk also needs to be able to receive "Share" intents. I'm getting rather tired of having to have a Clipboard app just so I can send a website to someone I'm talking to. It's ridiculous that this STILL isn't in GTalk.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Kai-Chun-Lin/613460634 Kai-Chun Lin

Same feeling here, we don't need more features that are pushed out just because.
We need refinement in the overall usability and user experience. For example it takes almost a sec between pressing the power button on my Nexus 7 and having the lock screen displayed after leaving it alone for some time, while on the ancient iPad 2 it's pretty much instantaneous.
At most just push out 1 or 2 signature features that manufacturers, devs, and users can rally on.

RitishOemraw

And they really need a to have a GOOD working method to send video's, pictures, music, screen to your tv.

First we had MHL adapters, which don't always work and require a cable. Then this Miracast business.....and Samsung, as usual, is already bringing out its own methods....

I want a wireless method that just works! No hooks, no insane requirements, no costly additional hardware....just a unified standard that companies actually stick to!

Drew M

Miracast is an industry standard. I haven't used it, but from what I've read, it seems to work quite well. It needs more device support though.

RitishOemraw

exactly...the device support.....we don't need more methods we need one which works and gets supported. Let's hope it is Miracast so the compatibility roll-out comes sooner

Larizard

well, that plus the fact that if they keep the Jelly Bean moniker, they will be able to say that devices are in the "newest release" of Android, when in fact they are just in Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0).

Slowing down the name change also makes sense considering how fast the dot-upgrades come out (once in the summer during I/O, and another during the holidays with the new Nexus).

But I think the biggest indicator factor here, like you pointed out, is that there are no BIG system changes coming that warrants a new name or a full version number.

http://turbofool.com Jarrett Lennon Kaufman

I'm hoping this addresses the performance issues the Nexus 7 has seen sine 4.2. I've tried a variety of fixes I've found online, and while they've helped, it's still notably slower than it was on 4.1, which is a shame, since I used to show off how unstoppable it was.

At least my 4 still screams.

http://twitter.com/ScienceProUSA SciencePro

Agreed, it's quite sad what a mess the Nexus 7 is now. I barely use mine.

Michał Ostrowski

root, custom rom, custom kernel and it's fine again

Leandros99

Nope, not really.

Adam92Wilkins

then you are doing it wrong.

http://twitter.com/DocFunkinstein Kid.Drunkadelic

no you must be blind

Michał Ostrowski

Right thing would be for Google to refresh N7 on a Qualcomm CPU and be done with old Tegra 3.

http://turbofool.com Jarrett Lennon Kaufman

No, right thing would be to make the Nexus 7 run as well on the Tegra 3 as it did when they released it. Replacing it with a new device and saying F-U to the people who bought the first one isn't the "right thing."

http://turbofool.com Jarrett Lennon Kaufman

That's called a workaround, not a fix. For the vast majority of humans, breaking their warranty, installing buggy custom software, and losing access to apps that require an unrooted system isn't a solution. And it shouldn't be necessary. Yes, I've run custom on here before, and I'm rooted now, but that's NOT a fix.

http://www.facebook.com/vivecuervo7 Isaac Dedini

Sorry if I sounds like I'm trying to be an ass here, I'm asking this question out of honest curiosity, but which apps actually require a phone to be unrooted? I've never come across one once.

http://turbofool.com Jarrett Lennon Kaufman

Wallet, several video apps, a bunch of games, and a lot of security apps required by some employers.

http://www.facebook.com/vivecuervo7 Isaac Dedini

Thanks, I guess wallet/security apps definitely make sense there.

Kcls

I use wallet, and my N4 is rooted and running Paranoid Android.

http://www.facebook.com/vivecuervo7 Isaac Dedini

Interesting. I just asked because (I have always been rooted/custom ROM) I had never come across an app that needed the phone to be unrooted.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1710314881 Aaron Cooper

It says on my rooted phone that the Wallet is on a unsupported device, but as the o.p. said, it works !

Oscar Langford

The Barclays banking app in the UK doesn't work on a rooted phone. It's a real shame, as I always have to choose between the awesome features found in custom ROMs and the ability to pay bills and transfer funds from my phone.

Joey Fedric

You likely have a web browser on the phone... why not just use that? Non-sequitur.

Oscar Langford

If you use a Web browser, you must have access to a PIN Sentry - a small device that that you place your bank card in. You enter your PIN, then get a code to access your account. The mobile app bypasses the need for the PIN Sentry, which is why it's so useful.

Jay P

Get "Voodoo OTA Root Keeper" from the Play Store for free. It allows you to backup Root and then Temporarily Unroot. You can then use whatever No-Root app like normal and once finished with it you can then re-root using Voodoo and be back to your all powerful self.

This works because most apps check Root by either checking for the SU binary or command. Voodoo saves SU and a few other things in a safe location and then removes the SU binary and evidence of it's existence therefore making it so No-Root apps don't detect Root. Voodoo can then run SU from it's hidden location in order to copy itself back to its original location.

Max Barlow

Barclays apps (Mobile banking, Ping It) and Sky Go are the main ones

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1745689461 Hal Motley

There is was a controversy over film rentals a while back which were disallowed on rooted devices.

jan klassan

most banking apps especially barclays pingit

estallings

The Nexus 7 is in AOSP. The ROMs will be cutting edge, with few bugs. Also, there are lots of workarounds to apps that require root. Even if it means uninstalling SU. Your lack of knowledge on this subject is affecting your experience. It's too bad, really.

http://turbofool.com Jarrett Lennon Kaufman

Your patronizing assumptions about my experience and knowledge combined with inability to comprehend the scope of my comment about the "vast majority of humans" is duly noted.

Typongtv

What are you talking about ? what mess ? I'm on stock 4.2.2 and it's just working flawlessly !!

Simon Belmont

Same here. Android 4.2 and 4.2.1 did have issues, especially the Bluetooth issues.

However, Android 4.2.2 cured the issues and brought it back to Android 4.1 smoothness and speed for me. I actually flashed back to Android 4.1.2 after I had enough with Android 4.2, then I went back to Android 4.2.2 and have been happy as a clam.

NoBullet

I've had mine since November and has never slowed down. Did you turn off syncing in the Currents app? I heard that causes lag.

http://turbofool.com Jarrett Lennon Kaufman

I did. First solution I tried. Made a barely noticeable difference. Was still mud after that. Then I found Forever Gone and ran that. MASSIVE difference, and almost brought it back to normal. Almost. It's still randomly slow to unlock (and to even rotate in the right direction) and lag jumps in out of nowhere. Exactly what the Nexus 7 was famous for not having.

Frank Ferter

Have you guys ever heard if lag fix? It took the bad lag I had away. Just be careful using it.

Sean Lumly

I agree about the N7. One thing you can do is choose Dolphin Beta web browser over Chrome. Chrome is needlessly slow on the system, and Dolphin Beta screams, with very few freezes. It really has transformed my experience on the device!

http://turbofool.com Jarrett Lennon Kaufman

Most of my complain isn't with the browser, though, and Chrome sync is something I rely on too much to switch browsers.

Gerry Juans

IIRC it was due to a memory leak in 4.2.2. Try installing the latest CM build

mldi

Yeah, it seems 4.2 is much more I/O-laden than 4.1, like it's way busier, or at least way serially busier (different/combined queues?). Plus that tiny memory pipe in the Tegra 3 combined with a somewhat sluggish flash disk probably don't help the situation any.

http://about.me/jason.johnson JJ

Makes some sense, I imagine we'll see the KLP 5.0 release with a new Nexus phone in the fall.

http://twitter.com/djspy DJ SPY

This makes sense too of you take into account reports of the Motorola X phone being delayed until fall. 4.3 next month and 5.0 & X Phone in the fall.

http://www.androidpolice.com/ David Ruddock

Yes, that phone which never had any kind of release time frame in the first place is "delayed." Right. That's a thing.

bwarez

It makes sense. That would encourage people to buy the new phone, more than the Nexus 4. I can see it... "The first phone with Android 5.0 in the world".

Justin Swanson

Provided that a ROM doesn't leak with 5.0 that custom devs push out to the GNex, N4, N7, N10 and maybe even the Nexus S/One...

theduce102

Dessert, not desert

http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

Whoops, was too excited when I wrote that word. Fixed, thanks.

heat361

Or it could be Google just trolling lol

James Jun

We all want the good stuff with Key Lime Pie, but there's no reason that we wont see some awesome stuff coming up in Android 4.3. Looking forward, I think this is the smarter move. It'll let 2.3 die, while retaining the image of a growing Jelly Bean distribution. People will have no reason to bag on Key Lime Pie 'fragmentation' and junk like that.

Less than 30 days, people. Less than 30 days, and we'll all know the truth.

Kenny O

Great piece Artem, very good points. Once again inferior site release ludicrous rumors (a wood phone, really?) and AP delivers credible, well supported bit of information.

jaduncan

Yes, that was the article that made me drop them from my RSS feeds.

Angel Penabad

AP, you are f***** top notch, always there the first ones and without spreading smoke with fakes. Just brilliant. Thanks. :)

3825

Yes and this means basically we know just what the Android team want us to know.

Nevi_me

I've mentioned this a lot, seems like most of us ignored what the Android team said at I/O last year, being that they're going to slow down on the 'new Google version' a year thing to give manufacturers a chance to catch up. Remember how last year Froyo and GB had the lion market share on the Android Developer Dashboard stats?

Google, manufacturers (carriers?), CM and other devs have helped to shake up the distribution to more recent versions (ICS and JB). GB still has the market share, which is likely from 'cheaper' devices in developing countries. It's still going to be a problem, because even if those devices have ICS, the cost of downloading an update might be keeping some people from upgrading (in South Africa we almost pay through our noses for data from the large telecoms, the smaller ones are making a difference though).

Releasing KLP would exacerbate the distribution problem even further. I reckon Google could do with another year of JB, be in MR2 or whatever. Makes it easier for interested manufacturers to upgrade from 4.0 & 4.1 as the code base wouldn't be that much different.

2013 doesn't need to be the year of a new Android version, it should be the year when half of the active Android devices in the internet catch up to Jelly Bean.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1745689461 Hal Motley

As much as I want KLP, only Nexus devices and Custom ROMs will have it for a long time. Hell, Gingerbread's marketshare is still higher than it should be.

I find it broken that OEMs and carriers have to spend so much time adjusting the Android UI and adding a lot of bloat and gimmicky features to their needs. But, I can't see it changing anytime soon unless Google make it easier when it comes to Android UI overlays, like that dude suggested alongside "Project Roadrunner".

Justin Swanson

I really hope to see something like Android UI options in the future. It'd be great to turn on/off custom skins/frameworks with the touch of a button. It would also allow for the base code to be updated without worry it'll break the skins/frameworks (in most cases) and it would definitely allow for faster updates.

One thing I am curious about, and maybe a custom dev can answer. How does CM/AOKP/PA/etc support so many devices? Is it a single code base that grabs drivers for the specific devices to build the ROM for the individualized device? If that's the case, it seems strange that Samsung/LG/HTC/etc would take so long with releasing updates across multiple devices. They should update a single code base, that grabs the drivers for the specific devices and builds the ROM based on the code base and drivers. That ROM gets some testing (because it's 'official') and then gets pushed out.

Can custom devs keep up with the AOSP code base because they're better? faster? they don't have as many corporate approval chains? They don't support as many devices? I'm not sure I understand.

http://twitter.com/Mr_Luquinhas Lucas Ucciferri

I'm just waiting to get some 6.0 Macaroon!

Jim Crossley

6.0 will be an 'L' release, no?

Marcus

Not necessarily, I and J were both 4, so if K is 5, there could be a L 5.x, so M could be 6.

Jim Crossley

Good point. Goes to show that the letter number

Constantine Smith

I don't care what version comes, I'm way more intrigued by what are they going to blow us away with or leave us going.. Is that it?

mechapathy

Is it at least a key lime pie flavored jelly bean?

http://www.bordersweather.co.uk/ Andy J

Or.... as they have done in the past - Android "K" could be demoed at Google I/O with an expected release towards November/December (Like they have done before) but in the interim an update will be released to Jellybean that brings several features that missed the initial Jellybean release as well as numerous bug fixes. That's my vote.

Leandros99

Sounds legit, JellyBeanMR1 introduced so many bugs, a heavy bugfix release would be awesome! ;)

http://www.bordersweather.co.uk/ Andy J

Yes oddly 4.2.1 sped up my Nexus 7 quite a bit but 4.2.2 has it lagging again... Nexus 4 still screams along though. At a guess I'd say a new bluetooth stack would be a likely feature given how atrocious it is at the moment - and how much they will likely be relying on Bluetooth for things like Google Glass to perform well.

Leandros99

I would like to see these horrible graphic glitches to be fixed ...

Sean Royce

I never understood why Google didn't just push bug fixes once a week for devices. It'd definitely keep the consumer happy if they'd just push a few bug fix and optimization updates every fortnight or so. Instead of leaving the consumer angry for months on end while they get ready to push a big update.

Leandros99

Like I thought, that we don't see a 5.0 in the near future, because the first number is only incremented on serious framework changes and several Android developers said, that there won't be any big Android framework changes in the near future (I can search the vid were this is said when you want).

My 2 cents

QwietStorm

:|

http://www.facebook.com/Ricardo.Jorge.Steve Ricardo Steve

What a constructive comment.

QwietStorm

Chill out with the subliminal shots at other sites every time AP posts something. It's irrelevant.

http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

What? There is nothing subliminal in this article, at least I didn't mean it to be.

QwietStorm

That wasn't directed to you or the article, it's to comments posted.

http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

You should have probably been a little more clear on that.

tylerbrainerd

what are you talking about?

and they would be subtle, not subliminal. Unless you're under the impression that it's flashing images or brainwashing you in some other subconcious way.

http://www.androidpolice.com/ David Ruddock

Uh, subliminal shots? Everyone I've seen speculate has suspected it would be Key Lime Pie at I/O. We suspected it until very recently. It's a statement of fact for background, not an insult.

http://twitter.com/GiuntaRob Roberto Giunta

Oh yeah, a little step from 4.1 to 4.2, we can all see how fast updates are coming in seeing how like 4 or 5 devices overall either launched or were updated to 4.2 after 6 months...

Luis Augusto Fretes Cuevas

Well, I don't doubt you're right, the evidence does seem to support your hypothesis. But I will be very disappointed by Google if they don't show some mayor improvements. I don't mean a 2.x > 4.x jump, I just want a lot more than 4.1 and 4.2 added on top of 4.0. Especially, the jump from 4.1 to 4.2 was really small, it's been a year since Google made any significant change to Android.

Angel Penabad

By the way, here's an explanation to the build numbers, I hope you can untherstand it better than me: http://source.android.com/source/build-numbers.html
"The next letter and two digits are a date code. The letter counts quarters, with A being Q1 2009. Therefore, F is Q2 2010. The two digits count days within the quarter, so F85 is June 24 2010."

Suhas Vemuri

Funny I had this feeling since the latest Gmail '4.3' update was released few days ago.. gmail version number always lines up with Android version.. Gmail 4.2 was leaked right here in AP a few weeks before JB 4.2 was released.. and gmail 4.1 with JB 4.1.. Remember anyone?

http://twitter.com/s99nj S. Ali

Another terrible AP article

http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

Another helpful comment.

iamnotfan

Another effective reply

http://www.facebook.com/Ricardo.Jorge.Steve Ricardo Steve

Stop reading it then.

http://usamaisawake.wordpress.com/ Usama Ahmad

Excellent work, thanks to the tipster (deepayan). Regardless what the next release is, hopefully it will fix bluetooth.

jimmyz

Sweet another update that older phones won't get love being left behind lol.

Rezz

I thank that's for google to instead of. Coming out with key lime pie to soon let phone manufactures catch up or keep up something like what apple does with ios. The iphone 5, iphone 5s it's only about 25% of android phones running jelly bean

http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

The first sentence broke my brain.

Karl Ludwinski

That made me lol so hard.

Sean Royce

I honestly wonder how people get on the internet without any knowledge on how to string a sentence together.

andy_o

Some non-english speakers Google-translate navigate the internet.

http://www.facebook.com/Ricardo.Jorge.Steve Ricardo Steve

That sentence doesn't make sense either .-.

Sean Royce

Haha true that.

http://www.facebook.com/lucyparanormal Daniel Tiberius

If they're only delaying KLP because OEMs are taking awhile then I don't really support that. They need to get their act together and make updates more of a priority or make their skins easier to update with.

Sean Royce

Or just drop the skins, which will never happen.

José Olivo

I'm fine with JB unless a new version of android brings some major updates ill stick to my current os, which has not failed On My Note 2 and my N4.

ㄷㄷ

. . . . . . . Galaxynexus Be left out ?

Sean Royce

Doubtful, it should see the update too.

Bleakvision

I'd love to see the lame ass excuse they come up with this time :-)

http://twitter.com/HandNF NF

I hope they call it Key Lime Pie at least. Having a different name will make it seem more modern than a one-year old name.

Sean Royce

Why would they call it KLP if it were still on 4.3? And modern? It's a name of confectionery lolly, it's not outdated by any means.

jesuguru

"lolly"? That would come after KLP I'd think...

Sean Royce

Maybe lollipop :P

http://twitter.com/HandNF NF

Gingerbread was 2.3 though Froyo is 2.2.

Having three versions of Jelly Bean in the wild, the first being a year old doesn't make your OS old, but it seems older in name because Jelly Bean is a year old.

It's just a perception thing.

Sean Royce

At least it isn't considered a huge upgrade by Google unlike iOS who'll call it iOS 7 which won't have that much going for it.

http://twitter.com/HandNF NF

From what I've heard, iOS 7 will be a pretty substantial update actually, at least in terms of UI.

Sean Royce

I've also read the same, but I don't have high hopes yet.

JG

3 versions of Jelly Bean.... Well that's a way to make sure your "latest version" gets a higher percent of the (Key Lime) pie.... Maybe we should start referring to the jelly beans as flavors (instead of JB1, 2, 3)... Apple Pie, Banana Split and Cotton Candy flavored Jelly Beans (to keep with the alphanumeric nomenclature)?

http://www.facebook.com/Ricardo.Jorge.Steve Ricardo Steve

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Cotton Candy. Hahahahahahaha .-.

JG

There are cotton candy flavored Jelly Beans... Or at least I hope there are... Otherwise they (Jelly Belly) pulled the "we're out of possible flavors, so we'll make grass and booger flavored ones" card a little too soon, IMHO :)

patoriku

Anyone else think it's going to get really confusing once there will be three different versions of JB.

tym0

as long as we see a redesigned of the OS and Babel i don't care about the release number...

Babs Oyed

What I want most is for Google babel to be released (hate the name, love the idea)

fixxmyhead

No offense but I'm getting tired of jb. I want a new version

DeadSOL

Well, damn.

Adam Outler

Well, no duh. I called it a month ago on XDATV :D

eilegz

meanwhile OEM stick with 4.1 =/

iamnotfan

Question.
Cant google bring system updates via play-store?

Thanks.

Bleakvision

Wow, we are so far away from that. As long as OEMs think of the Software as a "firmware" I don't see things ever changing.

Chris

From google themselves. You cant really update an OS with in the OS it self.

mldi

I love how Google stopped using different names for what are essentially minor platform changes as far as developers are concerned.

It is slightly more confusing for consumers, though, because it does make a difference for them.

DEVELOPERS:
Developer: "What are you running?"
User: "Jelly Bean."
Developer: "OK, you can see all the features of my app, then! Good!"

CONSUMERS:
Consumer: "So what's on these two phones again?"
Store Employee: "Jelly Bean, but one is 4.1 Jelly Bean and the other is 4.3 Jelly Bean."
Consumer: "Um, what?"
Store Employee: "Well, see with this one, you can... errr... wait.. I mean, wait, which one has the unlock widgets? I think that was 4.2.... or did 4.1 have it already too?"
Consumer: "??????????"

tylerbrainerd

Does it truly make a difference to developers? there are no major api differences, I don't think

mldi

Nothing major, no. That's pretty much what I was saying.

tylerbrainerd

Oh i see, I must have misunderstood.

Chris

I agree though with that logic shouldnt we still be on ICS?

http://twitter.com/tallredrob Robert Nye

I've had a theory for a while that 5.X will only come around when they shift to a 3.7 or later Linux kernel, as 3.7 added ARM multi-platform support. Who knows when that will be though.

Guys can you please tell google that we need system-wide proxy support for all apps, not just the browser?!
Srsly if this doesn't get baked into the next version of android, i'm gonna stick to iOS :-(
Spread this feature request, so that we get some more attention on that!

Ross Fleming

Don't we already have this on ICS and above? My school WiFi needs a proxy and all my apps work (twitter etc), yet on 2.3 devices only the browser works...
Or maybe I'm just missing something...

Looks like your just on time AP! Google does seem to be getting better at keeping secrets through!. Based on past performance I can almost 100% guarantee there will be an unveiling on day 1 of I/O and the product will go on sale 15 days later ;)
I'd be surprised also if we didn't get a really good peek at the new device at about, or maybe a little before May 10th ish.
The next version is guaranteed to be JellyBean, Google doesn't mess around with build tag!, think of it this way, GB released Q3 2010, ICS Q3 2011, JB (4.2) Q3 2012 and K?? (X.X) Q4 2013. It was probably weird that JB was released as JB in I/O last year but I guess the whole Butter and new interface was too big for them to keep as ICS, image the diffidence between ICS and JB 4.2, hats the difference the K will be to JB 4.2... smells good

http://twitter.com/rightoder2 rightoder2

i cant wait for this update because i can see issues after 4.2.2 update. constant freezing, auto app closures and going into deep sleep without. i hope they sort out the lockscreen, eventhough i use patterns, i can still open my phone camera and google now without using the pattern which is not good

Iucidium

I'm frustrated that KLP is delayed for the OEMs to start molesting it and make it horrid.

Chris

Root or buy a nexus..... The new themes look pretty nice compared to a few years ago when android looked like shit.

Iucidium

"Root or get Nexus"
Did you read the article? Google are reportedly *delaying* the unveiling/rollout so that the likes of HTC and Samsuck can 'get time with it'

That means we'll 4.3 next June.

And you're screwed if CM10.x or AOKP isn't supported on it.
/s
I'd take functionality over Sense etc ANYDAY

Chris

Clearly you never used a htc device. There's more the better just looks my friend.

Iucidium

I owned a HTC Desire Z. I've used the more modern devices. Sense and Touchwiz can die in a fire. Battery drain is NOT a feature.

http://www.facebook.com/fiscidtox Dean Thompson

My s3 gets 5 1/2 to 6 hours screen on time... Much better than the nexus is rated for. Nice try though

Iucidium

You wanna go there? Okay - I get 8 hours screen on time with around 30 hours on my RAZR MAXX which now runs as good as AOSP jellybean now.

http://www.facebook.com/fiscidtox Dean Thompson

Yes, because the battery is larger, herp derp

Iucidium

Then please explain why a Note 2 can't get close, even with an almost identical sized battery?

And I'm on about 'skinned' versions of Android causing unnecessary battery drain, now they're delaying the rollout of 5.0 because of said OEM's

http://www.facebook.com/fiscidtox Dean Thompson

what? Note 2 gets amazing battery life lol Weak argument is weak

http://twitter.com/Gusso7 Gusso 7

Anyone know why my cut-and-paste on my Samsung Galaxy 10.1 tablet has stopped working and how I can get it functioning again? Its across all programmes that I have on board. Any advice would be appreciated excluding hopefully re-installing firmware, as I will lose too much and cannot afford the down time. Thanx. Still on Android 4.1.

Chase Weadock

I'm all good with an incremental update but I want to see some babel at iI/O next month! I am betting we see KLP, or whatever it's going to be when they release the next Nexus in fall.

http://www.facebook.com/Ricardo.Jorge.Steve Ricardo Steve

I've got to say, this is hands down the best Android news (stories, reviews, etc) website in the world. It's consistently updating, giving us the awesome APK Teardowns and then the other good stuff like this article.

Really, I thank you guys a lot. And don't want to sound mean, but maybe you could redesign the site sometime?

http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

It's being redesigned.

http://www.facebook.com/Ricardo.Jorge.Steve Ricardo Steve

Cool :)

nebula

I must admit, that I'm a little bit disappointed. But it will probably be a good release with the new game center, google play news, google now improvements and messenger

nebula

oh, and don't forget the music streaming service

Chris

That would be keylime pie. this .x update will just be bug fixes and may be a few minor updates.

Waldo

When will Android get away from the ugly, dismal, and boring cyan blue-on-black theme? It's been the same for far too long. You would think that the team that created such a popular operating system would have a little creativity when it comes to aesthetics. This alone is the reason i got away from Android.

Chris

You have to admit, its much better then Giungerbread's gray/brown/green theme....

there are launchers and even phones like the Galaxy series and HTC phones that have their own themes...

http://www.facebook.com/babywarez Gerardo Sarabia Molina

Android looks BEAUTIFUL since ICS. Even with that electro blue style.

They can't change the color that easy. Gingerbread Green was more boring, and ugly. Blue is OK. maybe there are other colors that could look better than Blue, but they are not going to use any other color because of the meaning they could add to some elements. Yellow, Orange and Red could be interpreted like WARNING, ERROR, FAIL, LOW BATTERY, and things like that. I'm not going to talk about girly colors... they are not an option, Android is for everyone.

The only color they can use is white, and iOS use it, so... I believe we are going to continue seeing blue like the standard accent color.

jacob

then.... you're kind of a douche.

http://twitter.com/nockgeneer Jason P. Cochrane

Most custom roms come with the Theme Manager from T-Mobile so you can do what you want. As far as the future look of Android, look at the new Market app and you should be able to see where they are going. It's lighter and more refined.

Dennis Junior

Want to see what updates are in this Build.. Android is Destroying Slowly Apple empire.

Drew M

I'm too lazy to look this up, but a while back there was a quote by someone at Google (may have been Duarte or Rubin) that they wouldn't advance the major number of Android unless they do another major overhaul again like ICS. However, the changes in from 4.0 to 4.1 to 4.2 have still been pretty significant. So 4.3 would be consistent with this. Android 5.x might still be a while from now.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1710314881 Aaron Cooper

And this is why I invested in a Nexus 4. To get the latest updates as quickly as possible. I will not go back to a non Nexus phone if I can help it...

MrMathboi Reborn

Can someone answer this, so is the nexus 7 confirmed to get 4.3 judging by this article ?

shrubbery

Don't forget that 4.0 was Ice Cream Sandwich and 4.1 & 4.2 were Jelly Bean so 4.3 could end up being called Key Lime Pie (or some other K related dessert)

crankerchick

Great job AP! You all rock!

p***off

The latest pushed version from Verizon to my Samsung SCH-1200 broke it so badly that I can hardly get any work done. Screwed my reception, broke ability to input passwords, and royally f****d a reasonably good system. Perhaps the next release is to repair before they are sued into oblivion.

David Bell

What Should happen, what Really should happen is, Google devices get it ahead of other android devices because Google device owners subscribe to the OS with the purchase of the device.

Hopefully they switch back to the Android green color scheme I thought it was great

Jozef Kruszynski

Me-thinks that we will see 5.x at I/O, but 4.3 is the more likely release coming soon.

tofi

When I can get the last version of thessoftware

Navanski

In my opinion Google are attempting to reduce the visibility of the fragmentation which takes place as new OS upgrades take place. By continuing to update the same release in stages it is giving phone and tablet manufacturers the chance to catch up, to at least get a foothold on the ladder. If Google had gone ahead and released an update called Key Lime Pie then most devices out there would immediately be outdated. As it is you can still go out and purchase a device with the 'latest' OS. That maybe 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 so there are varying degrees of up to date. It's a bit of bamboozlement really.

reloj

They should have checked a bit longer this update!!!!. After updating to 4.3, my nexus 4 is crashing when I try using camera, skype or even touch screen. They even installed the horrible Hangouts app and erased gtalk. Shame on Google! Is there a way to go back to Android 4.2?

thanks

alaanile

I've got to say, this is hands down the best Android news (stories, reviews, etc) website in the world. It's consistently updating, giving us the awesome APK Teardowns and then the other good stuff like this article.

Really, I thank you guys a lot. And don't want to sound mean, but maybe you could redesign the site sometime?